Use AutoSpool

To use AutoSpool

  1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
  2. Double-click the Add-a-Plotter wizard.
  3. On the Ports page, select AutoSpool.
  4. From the Application menu , click Options. Then choose the Files tab.
  5. Double-click Print file, Spooler, and Prolog Section Names to display the options in this section.
  6. Double-click Print Spool Executable.
  7. Double-click the arrow. In the Select a File dialog box, locate the program you want to execute when the plot file has been created. Add any command line arguments you want to use. For example, enter myspool.bat %s.

When AutoCAD plots to a file, it substitutes a unique plot file name for “%s” in the Print Spool Executable name and sends the generated command to DOS.

Print spool executable command line options

Option

Function

%d or %D

Specifies the AutoCAD drawing name, including the full path and -extension

%e or %E

Specifies the equal sign (=)

%h or %H

Returns the height of the plot area in the selected plotting units

%i or %I

Becomes the first letter of the plot units

%l or %L

Designates the login name; the login name is stored in the LOGINNAME system variable

%m or %M

Returns the AutoCAD plotter model; AutoCAD lists the model name during configuration

%n or %N

Becomes the plotter name; AutoCAD uses the plotter name to identify the manufacturer and type of plotter

%p or %P

Designates the plotter number; AutoCAD assigns a number to a configured plotter and lists the plotters in this order

%s or %S

Specifies the plot spool file name, including the path and extension

%u or %U

Specifies the user name entered during installation

%w or %W

Returns the width of the plotter area in the selected units

%%

Specifies the percent sign (%)

%c or %C

Specifies the description for the device

(This is the description entered on the General tab of the Plotter Configuration Editor. This description should not contain spaces if you want to use it with AutoSpool.)

To specify the location for AutoSpool print files

  1. From the Application menu , click Options.
  2. Click the Files tab.
  3. Double-click Print Support File Path.
  4. Double-click the Print Spooler File Location.
  5. Double-click the arrow.
  6. In the Select a File dialog box, enter the path to the directory where you want AutoSpool to send its print files.
Parent topic: Use AutoSpool